Check and priming valve means for self-priming pumping system



3,276,384 CHECK AND PRIMING VALVE MEANS FOR SELF-PRIMING PUMPING SYSTEMFiled Aug. 31, 1964 Oct. 4, 1966 F. E. BOONE ET AL 2 Sheets-Sheet l J MJET i M EN 9 Ao 7 mm O a mwm N E L ll R Aw K Y N B M Du Cl FIG.

F. E. BOONE ET AL Oct. 4, 1966 CHECK AND PRIMING VALVE MEANS FORSELF-PRIMING PUMPING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 31, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4

FRANKLIN E. BOONE MERRlL BERMAN United States Patent 3,276,384 CHECK ANDPRIMING VALVE MEANS FOR SELF-PRIMING PUMPING SYSTEM Franklin E. Boone,Arvada, and Merril Berman, Denver,

Colo., assignors to Worthington Corporation, Harrison,

N.J., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 31, 1964., Ser. No. 393,281 3Claims. (Cl. 103113) This invention presented relates to a self-primingpump system, and more particularly to the relief of air-bound wells andthe restoration to prime of the pump in a pumping system by recyclingpumpage in exchange for entrapped air in the well.

It is an object of the invention to provide a self-priming means in apump system, which operates automatically to exchange simultaneouslyfluid which has passed through the pump, for air entrapped in the pumpwell.

It is another object of the invention to avoid time lost ininoperativeness of the pump due to loss of prime condition.

It is another object of the invention to avoid the necessity for theintervention of an operator to reprime a pump.

It is another object of the invention to provide a selfpriming meanswhich need not be included as an integral part of the pump in thepumping system, but which may be separate therefrom, and is readilyaccessible for adjustment or repair.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a means in aself-priming pumping system which operates to affect the exchange offluid pumpage passed through the pump, for gaseous accumulationsentrapped in the pump well of the pumping system.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a means for aself-priming pumping system which operates in response to loss ofpumpage, to restore the prime condition, speedily, automatically andefficiently, thereby substantially eliminating all periods ofinoperativeness.

These objects and advantages as well as other objects and advantages maybe attained by the use of the device shown by way of illustration in thedrawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation with portions thereof in vertical section,of a pumping system having a vertically disposed pump in pumpingoperation in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a section taken on 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 shows the self-priming means for the pumping system of FIGURE 1arranged for self-priming operation;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation with portions thereof diagrammaticallyillustrated in vertical sections to show a pumping system in accordancewith the present invention having a horizontally disposed pump.

When a pump is applied to remove the contents of a tank employed forstorage or transportation on land, on water, or in the air, the well inwhich the pump is operating to withdraw the fluid in the tank mayreceive air from a number of sources including the pump, and whensuflicient air is entrapped in the well to prevent the entry of fluid tobe pumped out, the fluid may not rise to the inlet of the pump, and itis necessary to re-prime the pump. If there is no automatic alarm signalannouncing the loss of pumpage, considerable delay may ensue until thecondition is noticed. The efliciency of the pumping operation thereforeis low. Furthermore, the unavailability of an operator or an attendantto re-prime the pump may further contribute to the lack of efliciency ofthe pumping system. The use of the present invention restores fluid tothe well, and relieves the gas in the pump in exchange for fluidreceived from the outlet side of the pump. It is found that tandemvalves operable in response to loss of pumpage in combination with arelief valve effective to 3,276,384 Patented Oct. 4, 1966 discharge gasfrom the pump well into the outlet side of the pump, is effective toaccomplish this object. In this manner, pumps are continuously andautomatically restored to prime immediately after the loss of pumpage,and the system operates in a highly efficient manner.

Referring to the drawings, FIGURES l, 2 and 3 show a pumping system inaccordance with the present invention embodying a vertical turbine pump60, which comprises a plurality of centrifugal impeller stages as at 61mounted on a vertical shaft 62 in turn connected to a motor generallydesignated 63 for driving the pump.

The pump 60 has a suction inlet 64 which receives fluid from a suctionor pump well 65 formed by an outer casing 66 which is entirely closedexcept at its point of connection with the transfer conduit 67 incommunication with the fluid to the pump by the pumping system.

Fluid drawn into the inlet 64 of the pump from the suction or pump well65 is pumped upwardly from one stage to the next through passages 68 inthe respective stages and the fluid is discharged through the pumpoutlet 69 and connecting conduit 70 to suitable connecting means forleading the fluid to a point of storage or use as may be required.

It will be observed that the pump unit has a skirt 71 at its lower endwhich extends into close proximity to the lower end of the section orpump well 65 so that the pump will not lose its prime until nearly allthe fluid has been drawn from the well.

This type pump and suction well is known for use in draining barges orreservoirs and one of the basic problems in the use of this and othertypes of pumps is that when entrapped air in large quantities iscollected or delivered by the transfer line 67, the delivery of fluid isso reduced that the fluid in the suction or pump well 65 will be rapidlyexhausted exposing the suction inlet 64 and the pump will lose suctionhead; that is, it will have insufficient suction to enable it torecommence pumping fluid. until the suc tion inlet is once againsubmerged.

In the present pumping system, an automatic self-priming means coactswith the pump and suction well to restore the flow of fluid to bepumped.

This self-priming means as shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 3 include a housing72 connected to the upper end of the outer casing 66, which forms achamber 73 in communication with the end of the connecting conduit 70remote from the discharge outlet 69 of the pump.

The chamber 73 forms a reservoir for fluid being pumped and also acts asa transfer passage to an outlet port 74 in communication with thedischarge conduit 75 connected to the housing 72 about the outlet port74, as is shown in FIGURES l and 3 of the drawings.

Flow through the outlet port 74 is controlled by an outlet port valve 77as is more fully described hereinafter and the fluid delivered to thedischarge conduit 75 will be conducted to a point of storage or use.

Chamber 73 is further provided with return ports 78 in substantialalignment with the outlet port 74. A return conduit 79 connected at oneend of the housing 72 about the return port 78 and at the other end tothe upper end of the outer casing 66 about the return inlet 80 willfunction to return fluid from the chamber 73 when the return port valve,generally designated 81 is opened.

The return port valve or second valve 81 includes a cylindrical valvehousing and valve support 82 dis-posed in the housing 72 and connectedabout the return port 78. The valve housing and support 82 have aplurality of circumferentially disposed valve ports 83 which will permitfluid to flow from the chamber 73 in housing 72 to the return port 78when the ports are open. The ports 83 are maintained open or closed by avalve head 84 which is disposed to slide along the inner Wall of thecylindrical valve housing and valve stem support 82.

As is clear from FIGURE 3, the valve head 84 has an annular portion 85and this portion is connected to the connecting means 86 by spiders 87,so that when the valve head moves to the open or down position, fluid is*free to flow from the chamber 73, through the ports 83, and valve head84 to the return port 78.

, .The valve 84 isso arranged-with respect to the return port 78, andoutlet port 74, that it is in substantial alignment with these ports andwith the first or outlet port .valve 77, and this permits them to beconnected in tandem by means of a common valve stem 88 which isconnected at one end to the first valve 77 and at the end returntherefrom to the member 86 of the second valve 81. The valve stem 88 issupportably mounted on the spaced valve 'stem supports 89, 90.

- When the pumping system is not in operation, or when the pump in thesystem loses its prime, then by action of gravity, the valvesautomatically take the position shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings; thatis, the first valve 77 is closed and the second valve 81 is opened.

When pump 60 delivers suificient pumpage, then the pressure of thepumped fluid acts to force valve 77 open, .and since they are on acommon valve stem 88, the valve head 85 of the second valve 31 slidesupwardly to close off the ports 83 therein.

The present invention accomplishes its advantageous results because itprovides means for displacing accumulated air or gas from the suctionwell 65 by exchanging this air.or gas with fluid from the reservoir orchamber 73.

, This is accomplished by a gas relief conduit 91 connected between theupper end of the outer casing 66 forming the suction well 65 and theupper portion of the housing 72. A unidirectional pressuresensitive-check valve 92 diagrammatically illustrated in the conduit 91acts to .permit gas to be displaced from the suction Well 65 to theupper portion of the chamber 73. Further, it will :benoted that thechamber 73 has suflficient volumetric capacity so that the fluidcontained therein will be suflicient to reprime the pump 60 when itdisplaces the gas from the suction well, as is more fully describedhereinafter.

" OPERATION OF PUMPING SYSTEM WITH VERTICAL PUMP When the pump is not inoperation, the first valve 77 -and second valve 81 will be in theposition shown in .60 will commence discharging fluid through dischargeoutlet 69, as above described, to the chamber 73 connected thereto byconnecting conduit 7 0.

As the fluid in the suction well draws down, it will reduce the pressuretherein causing fluid from the tank or reservoir to flow throughtransfer conduit 67 and maintain the level of the fluid in the suctionwell so pumping will continue.

The fluid in chamber 73 will be discharged when the pressure is greatenough to open the first valve 77. This will automatically close thesecond valve 81 and hold it closed until the pressure of the pumpedfluid fails.

This latter condition will occur when a large quantity of air or gasaccumulates or is delivered from the transfer conduit 67.

Such an accumulation of air or gas causes the pump to immediately drawdown the remaining fluid in the suction well 65 and the pump loses itssuction head and the Well runs dry. As a result, the pressure of thepump fluid is not adequate to hold or force the first valve 77 to anopen position and gravity pulls first valve 77 closed automatically andsimultaneously opening second valve 81.

When valve 81 opens, the collected fluid in chamber 73 flows backthrough the port 83, return port 78 and return conduit 79 through thereturn inlet 80 to the suction well 65 where it displaces the gas in thesuction well as .fluid in the chamber prime, automatically upon the itfills that well. It displaces the accumulated air and gases through thegas relief line 91, valve 92 which opens at a predetermined gas-pressureincrease.

The air and gas is vented into the upper portion of the chamber 73 inthe space formerly occupied by the fluid therein andthus in substancethe gas. in the suction well 65 is exchanged for the fluid in thechamber 73.

With suflicient fluid being present, the pump will reprime itselfautomatically and once again will draw down the fluid in the suctionwell 65. This, as in start up,'will reduce the pressure in the suctionwell and draw fluid from the storage vessel (not shown) through thetransfer line 67.

So long as the transfer line 67 continues to supply fluid pumping andautomatic self-priming will alternate and continue until all the fluidis exhausted from the tank or storage vessel.

ANOTHER FORM OF THE INVENTION FIGURE 4 shows a pumping system inaccordance with the present invention employing a horizontal centrifugaltype pump. There is a housing defining a chamber 11, which is connectedto the pump outlet 12. The conduit 13, shown in FIGURE 4, extends adistance into the chamber 11 suflicient so that the volumetric capacityof the chamber below the level of the top of the conduit 13, containsfluid enough to restore the pump to prime when it flows back to thesuction inlet chamber 10. Thus, the top 14 of the conduit 13 is abovethe level of the floor 15 of the chamber 11. 'A first conduit 16 isconnected to the upper portion of the chamber 11. A first valve 17 islocated between the first conduit 16 and the chamber 11 The first valve17 is normally closed when pumpage is not maintained and opens inresponse to pumpage. The failure of pumpage, permits the first valve 17to close. A second conduit 18 extends from the bottom of the chamber 11to the suction inlet chamber 10 and defines a return for pump fluid fromthe chamber 11. A second valve is located between the chamber 11 and thesecond conduit 18. This second valve 20 is normally closed. It isoperably connected by a rod 21, or other suitable means to the firstvalve 17. When the first valve 17 closes by reason of failure ofpumpage, the second valve 20 is simultaneously and automatically openedby reason of the connectingrod 21. On the other hand, when the pressureof the pumpage causes the first valve 17 to open, in response to pumpagebeing urged into the conduit 16, the rising of the valve 17 causes therod 21 to raise the second valve 20 to close the second conduit 18.

When suflicient gaseous matter accumulates at the suction side ofthepump (inlet chamber 10), so that there is a failure of pumpage, the merereturn of fluid from the chamber 11 to the suction inlet chamber 10 mustbe accompanied by a relief of the air entrapped in the pump that isblocking the restoration of the priming fluid. To this end, a thirdconduit 23 connected between the upper portion of the chamber 11 and thepump 22, is provided. A third valve 24 is located in this conduit. Thethird valve 24 is normally closed when pumpage is passing through thechamber. This valve opens in response to gas pressure. The gaseousmatter entrapped in the pump escapes into the chamber 11 from the pump22, while the 11 is returning into suction inlet chamber 10 of the pump22. The tandem operation of the first and second valves in returningpumpage into the suction inlet chamber 10 in cooperation with the gasrelief valve 24, have effectively restored the pump to failure ofpumpage. The tandem valves 17 and 20 are substantially coaxial and areoperated together by the connecting rod 21 in response to pumpage orgravity. The foregoing description in drawings is intended as What isclaimed is:

1. In a self-priming liquid pumping system:

(a) a suction well connected to a source of fluid to be pumped (b)multi-stage pump means for pumping fluid from said suction welloperatively supported in said suction well and disposed to formtherewith an annular chamber about the pump adapted to receive the fluidto be pumped (c) a housing forming a chamber (d) at least one stage atthe lower end of the pump means having its suction disposed tocommunicate with fluid to be pumped from the annular chamber and atleast one stage of said pump means connected to the housing to dischargepumped fluid to the chamber in said housing (e) the chamber in saidhousing having a discharge port for fluid delivered thereto in the upperportion and a return port in the lower portion thereof (f) a normallyclosed valve for the discharge port to be actuated to an open positionby the discharge pressure of the fluid being pumped (g) a normally openvalve for the return port,

(h) means operatively connecting the discharge port valve and the returnport valve whereby when the discharge port valve is actuated to an openposition by the discharge pressure of the fluid being pumped the returnport valve will be automatically closed (i) a return conduit connectedbetween the housing and the suction Well to permit fluid to flow fromsaid return port to the annular chamber in the suction well when thereturn port valve is in open position (j) a gas relief conduit connectedbetween the suction Well and the housing to permit gases to pass fromthe annular chamber to the chamber in the housing,

(k) a normally closed valve means in said relief conduit operable tocontrol the passage of gases from the annular chamber in the suctionwell to the chamber in the housing,

(I) said relief conduit valve means to be actuated to an open positionby the pressure of the gases in said annular space established by theaction of priming fluid being returned to said annular chamber throughthe return conduit when the discharge pressure of the fluid being pumpedis insufficient to maintain the discharge port valve in an openposition.

2. In the self-priming liquid pumping system as claimed in claim 1,wherein:

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,902,940 9/1959Meyer et al. 1031 13 FOREIGN PATENTS 995,383 10/1951 France.

MARK NEWMAN, Primary Examiner.

HENRY F. RADUAZO, Examiner.

1. IN A SELF-PRIMING LIQUID PUMPING SYSTEM: (A) A SUCTION WELL CONNECTEDTO A SOURCE OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED (B) MULTI-STAGE PUMP MEANS FOR PUMPINGFLUID FROM SAID SUCTION WELL OPERATIVELY SUPPORTED IN SAID SUCTION WELLAND DISPOSED TO FORM THEREWITH AN ANNULAR CHAMBER ABOUT THE PUMP ADAPTEDTO RECEIVE THE FLUID TO BE PUMPED (C) A HOUSING FORMING A CHAMBER (D) ATLEAST ONE STAGE AT THE LOWER END OF THE PUMP MEANS HAVING ITS SUCTIONDISPOSED TO COMMUNICATE WITH FLUID TO BE PUMPED FROM THE ANNULAR CHAMBERAND AT LEAST ONE STAGE OF SAID PUMP MEANS CONNECTED TO THE HOUSING TODISCHARGE PUMPED FLUID TO THE CHAMBER IN SAID HOUSING (E) THE CHAMBER INSAID HOUSING HAVING A DISCHARGE PORT FOR FLUID DELIVERED THERETO IN THEUPPER PORTION AND A RETURN PORT IN THE LOWER PORTION THEREOF (F) ANORMAL CLOSED VALVE FOR THE DISCHARGE PORT TO BE ACTUATED TO AN OPENPOSITION BY THE DISCHARGE PRESSURE OF THE FLUID BEING PUMPED (G) ANORMALLY OPEN VALVE FOR THE RETURN PORT, (H) MEANS OPERATIVELYCONNECTING THE DISCHARGE PORT VALVE AND THE RETURN PORT VALVE WHEREBYWHEN THE DISCHARGE PORT VALVE IS ACTUATED TO AN OPEN POSITION BY THEDISCHARGE PRESSURE OF THE FLUID BEING PUMPED THE RETURN PORT VALVE WILLBE AUTOMATICALLY CLOSED (I) A RETURN CONDUIT CONNECTED BETWEEN THEHOUSING AND THE SUCTION WELL TO PERMIT FLUID TO FLOW FROM SAID